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 A bird s -eye view of the Maldives is one of the most entrancing sight on earth .Some 1,200 islands - of which just 200 are inhabited - lie scattered like pearls across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean , havens of peace and the turquillity fringed by sanded beaches and coral reefs vivid with rainbow- hued fish .
Male , the capital , with a population of some 56,000, covers an area of less than tow square kiolmetres and is the commercial center of the islands .
The city s market-places are a noisy ,crowded and fascinating mixture of the European and the Oriental . Chinese , Idian , French and Creole shops display row upon row of colourful goods, emporia hold ,in unlikely juxtapostion, local shell products and imported exoticatextiles, perfumes, electronic goods, beachwear, watches and cameras, all avilable at prices well below those in many other parts of the world . Locally made goods include lacquerware , wicherwork, grass
 mats , black coral , pearl shells and handprinted T-shirt and wraos , whilst tailors will be pleased to custom make a suit for you in 24 hours .
However , most visitors come to the Maldves not for shopping but for an unspolit , unhurried , get-away- from it-all vacation . the resort islands are lapped by the sheltered waters of coral-edged lagoons, home to three quarters of the world s species of reef fish . Snokelling in the Maldives is amongst the best in the world , whilst scuba diving offers an even more spectacular insight of life beneath the waves . And ,of course ,most resorts offer a wide range of other water sports- as well as the undeniable appeal of just lazing on the beach .
The Maldives offer some of the finest vacations in all Asia . Here ,soft sandy beaches, limpid lagoons, swaying palms, extensive reefs, and the leisurely Maldivian way of life combine to make a wonderful holiday destination .Discerning travellers who seek idyllic holidays in unspolitm locations , yet demand high standard s of service, will find their ideal vacation at one of Universal s superb resorts .Pioneers in Maldivian tourism, Universal offers facilities to suit every tasteranging from the luxury of Kurumba Village to the delightfully informal atmosphere of laguna Beach .
If your idea of a perfect holiday includes soaking up the sun on a pristine beach , sailing the warm waters of a tropical lagoon , scuba diving over coral reefs teming with marine life or just getting away from it all amongst the peace and solitude of one of the world s loveliest archipelagos, you will find them all amongst Universal s resorts -which are perfectly suited for any holiday mood .
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